Thursday, September 15, 2011

My friend Katie, whose police officer husband accidentally struck and killed a local 14 year old kid yesterday morning. What a shocking event in this small community, well connected to the families on both sides of the situation.

My friend Rhys, whose daughter Lia I am convinced shared time with Lulu in God's waiting room a couple years ago, sitting in a Boise hospital with Lia as she recovers from major internal surgery yesterday. Lia's road has been so unique and challenging already in this life, and it just doesn't appear that "normal" is something that will ever materialize for this family. Normal is overrated, but it does tend to come with more sleep and a greater sense of stability than this family has had for almost three years now.

And an amazing blogger, Sara, whose words I have been reading for three years now. She has been housebound for many years with an autoimmune disease, and has used the situation as a chance to be a voice of encouragement and beauty on the internet. We read this week that her earthly journey is almost at an end, and she is poised to make her entrance into the presence of Jesus. Go, Gitzen Girl!

I also have a friend trying to finalize adoption papers before a crazy deadline next week, another celebrating her dad's first birthday in heaven this week, and a new acquaintance whose divorce just finalized a couple days ago.

Life is full of pain. And difficult moments. I have no easy answers for the pain I am helping carry today. But I have hope. Today, as I have held this vigil in my heart, I have been reminded of Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,a very present help in etrouble.2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God.I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!”11 The Lord of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress.

The mountains seem about to fall into the sea today, but even if everything crashes around me I know that God is here, and he is still God.